If you are looking to live in Spain, Barcelona is definitely one of the cities that you should keep in mind. The cultural diversity and the combination of beaches and mountains make this city means everything is on your doorstep with perfect weather.
Barcelona has some of the most expensive accommodations and real estate in Spain. But when retiring there you will never be short of new international restaurants and markets for fresh produce. Every weekend has a new event and there are heaps of activities and social groups you can join.
Let’s not waste time and discover everything that Barcelona has to offer. Could this be the city you’ve been looking for so much?
Is Barcelona a good place to retire?
Temperature: 8 to 30 deg C / 47 to 85 F
Population: 1.6 million
Tourist Information: https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/
If you like the beach, the mountains, vibrant nightlife, and great cultural diversity then Barcelona is one of the best places to retire in Spain. It is the second most populated city in Spain and is located on the shores of the mediterranean sea, Barcelona has a lot to offer.
The lifestyle in Barcelona is very busy. In the city, you can find a wide variety of outdoor activities either around the beach or in the mountains. Especially on weekends where you can access various excursions including bike routes, hiking, museums, architecture, and markets. Barcelona temperatures can be enjoyed year-round with mild winters and summers that are not too hot.
Another aspect that makes Barcelona a good place to retire is its great variety of cultural activities. Art is everywhere throughout the city, the works of Gaudí and Miró are well known, the Gothic Quarter which is a good example of medieval architecture, to the contemporary art of MACBA and the street artworks found in the Raval neighborhood.
Gastronomy in Barcelona is something that you should not miss. Spain is well known for its Paella and you will find that and the Tapas all over town. The other well-known dishes like Pan con Tomate, Bikinis, Escalivada, Butifarra con Mongetes, Calamares a la Romana, Black Rice, and the Catalan Cream are well worth trying.
What To Do In Barcelona
Barcelona has an endless number of places that you can visit, as well as numerous recreational activities. You can visit numerous museums, parks or even go hiking among its mountains.
Here you will find a small list compared to everything Barcelona has to offer:
- La Sagrada Familia
- Park Güell
- Casa Milà
- Casa Batlló
- La Rambla
- La Boqueria Market
- Picasso Museum
- Cathedral of Barcelona
- Palau de la Música Catalana
- Montjuïc
- Ciutadella Park
- Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
- Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art
- Casa Vicens Gaudí
- Arc de Triomphe de Barcelona
- Aquarium Barcelona
- Barceloneta Beach
- Parc del Laberint d’Horta
- Montjuïc Castle
- Serra de Collserola Natural Park
How much do I need to retire in Barcelona?
For some general costs on monthly living in Barcelona, you can check out the table below that includes most of the things everyone will pay. Remember with good transportation you can live a little bit further out and get a slower-paced lifestyle and come in for all the wonder that is Barcelona. This will also give you more space in your accommodation and at a cheaper price.
| Monthly Expense | Cost |
| Rent – 1 bedroom unit | $ 853 USD |
| Rent – 3 bedroom | $ 1280 USD |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Rates) | $ 170 USD |
| Internet | $ 50 USD |
| Transportation | $ 48 USD |
| Food and Groceries | $ 390 USD |
NOTE: This was right outside of the center of town and assumed two people in unit living. If you are single it will be a lot cheaper for a 2 or 1 bedroom unit or house. Also depending on the lifestyle, you want and if you don’t dine out much or need a maid.
TIP: Check this article Retire In Spain From USA – All You Have To Know and do not miss all the tips that will help you to live or retire in Spain.
What Supermarkets Are In Barcelona?
While eating out is not too expensive in Barcelona you may want to make the occasional meal at home and that means going to a supermarket or grocery store. When searching on google maps look for the following phrases: mecardo, supermercado, hipermercado. The difference is the size of the store where the market (mercado) is the small local store or mini supermarket and goes up from there in size.
So here is a list of the biggest supermarkets in Barcelona:
Here are some general prices for kitchen staples:
| Item | Per | Price |
| Milk | 1 Liter | $ 0.68 USD |
| Bread | Loaf | $ 2.34 USD |
| Eggs | 12 | $ 1.94 USD |
| Butter | 250 grams | $ 2.65 USD |
| Beef Mince | 1 kg | $ 8.05 USD |
| Chicken Breast | 1 kg | $ 10.36 USD |
| Beer | 6 pack | $ 5 USD |
| Scotch | 700 ml | $ 11.78 USD |
Is Barcelona an expensive city to live in?
Yes, Barcelona is an expensive city, especially in the inner city. You can make it a cheaper lifestyle by living a little further out on the transportation links. If you want to live comfortably in this city you will need around $ 1800 – $ 2000 USD per month or more depending on your space requirements.
Can you live in Barcelona without speaking Spanish?
Being a metropolitan city with people from all over the world you don’t need to speak Spanish. Most people speak English and even two or three languages due to the high amount of tourism. It is always wise to speak a little Spanish to fit in and show you are making an effort. But remember that Catalan is the Spanish dialect spoken in Barcelona.
To practice and learn Spanish you can download the DuoLingo App on your phone or you can use it on your computer with the web browser. Use this for a few months and get a couple of levels up doing at least 2 to 3 lessons a day or more. This will help you with basic manners, buying food, shopping and buying transport tickets when you get there.
How to rent or buy in Barcelona?
If you need to buy or rent there are some ways you may consider searching for a property. Whether you want to buy or rent, you can walk between the neighborhoods of the city looking for signs with the word “Rent” or “For Buy” or simply use the help of a real estate agent.
These are the top real estates to look at In Barcelona:
TIP: Whether you are buying or renting, if you are looking for some cheaper options you can go to the facebook marketplace. Change your filter to the city you want in Barcelona and then click on Property Rentals or House Sales. This is also a good place to find shared accommodations.
